Torn between 2 printers

[Tullphan]

I'm torn between the Canon Pixma MP620 & the MP970.
The thing I like about the 620 is the price ($120 @ Newegg) & the wireless.
The thing I like about the 970 is the extra print tanks along w/the capability of refilling & resetting the chip. It also features auto duplexing. The cheapest I found the 970 is $140 for a refurbished unit w/o the inktanks. I've found those (set of 7) for $30.
Basically i'm wondering if it's worth the extra $50 to have auto duplexing, an extra ink tank & the ability to refill it myself. It seems both units get very good reviews. I definitely need the scanner, but I have no need for an AIO as most of the ones i've seen have a fax function & since I have no landline phone, that's a non-issue.
Comments? Suggestions?

 

[13Gigatons]

The 970 is a much better all around printer. I would buy a new one though with carts: http://www.buy.com/retail/prod...d=39404036&dcaid=17902

 

[Tullphan]

Perhaps you're right. $30 more for a new unit is a no-brainer.
I mentioned the fact that this particular printer uses the ink cartridges that can be refilled...have you any experience with this?
The site you linked mentioned an additional warranty through Square Trade. Are they reputable & is it worth the $25 for 3 years?

 

[Zepper]

The 620 uses the new series of tanks - no clones yet (if ever) and IDK whether anyone has tried refilling to see what happens. (I really greatly dislike Canon for doing this) As always. the http://www.nifty-stuff.com forum is a good source of Canon ink lore. I'd go with separates anyway, as the AIOs seldom work as well at either function than separates, but I think Canon has pretty much gone with the new tanks on their separate printers as well (just have to keep that cash-cow flowing - :disgust: ). Have to probably pay a lot more for one of the older models still out there.

.bh.

 

[Tullphan]

Basically i'd not use the scanner that much & i'm almost certain i'd not use the photo negative feature. I'd mainly use it to scan receipts & things that i'd need to create PDF's of for e-mail purposes.
I'm limited on space on my desk...that's why I was looking at an AIO. I know I despise AIO stereo systems, so I know what you're saying about separates!

 

[13Gigatons]

Originally posted by: Tullphan
Perhaps you're right. $30 more for a new unit is a no-brainer.
I mentioned the fact that this particular printer uses the ink cartridges that can be refilled...have you any experience with this?
The site you linked mentioned an additional warranty through Square Trade. Are they reputable & is it worth the $25 for 3 years?

The ink tanks are pretty easy to refill. They do have circuit on them which needs to be disabled through a series of on-screen prompts.
After that you need to keep an eye on the ink levels if you print a lot especially if you are going to print a important photo or artwork. Don't want a half printed photo. I've run the printed dry a couple of times just printing documents and after refilling it worked fine again.

 

[Tullphan]

I noticed eBay has this printer in their "Open Box" section. I asked CS about ink cartridges for it. They told me that they included "starter" cartridges. When I asked if they included however many the printer required, they said i'd need to contact Canon. That leads me to believe that this printer may be recertified (although it doesn't specifically say so) since it comes with a 90-day warranty.
Also, regarding refilling, aren't those "chip resetters" supposed to make the printer/software think there's a brand new cartridge in the printer?

 

[Zepper]

I don't think Canon packs so-called "starter" cartridges with any of their printers (incl. factory refurbs) they only include standard, full volume, tanks. I've only heard of "starter" carts from HP. If they offer two sizes of some tanks, then the smaller may be supplied, but I've also only seen that on HPs like my K5400. Not familiar enough with any other brands to know what they ship with. I see the MP970 is a true "photo" type (that means there are 7 ink tanks to keep up with instead of the 4 or 5 tanks on the models I've had here). The 5 tank models did excellent photo printing to my eye.

.bh.

 

[Tullphan]

Originally posted by: Zepper
I don't think Canon packs so-called "starter" cartridges with any of their printers (incl. factory refurbs) they only include standard, full volume, tanks. I've only heard of "starter" carts from HP. If they offer two sizes of some tanks, then the smaller may be supplied, but I've also only seen that on HPs like my K5400. Not familiar enough with any other brands to know what they ship with. I see the MP970 is a true "photo" type (that means there are 7 ink tanks to keep up with instead of the 4 or 5 tanks on the models I've had here). The 5 tank models did excellent photo printing to my eye.

.bh.

Does more mean better?

 

[bludragon]

I just bought a recertified MP980 for $150 with free shipping: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16828102427
It was packed like new, came with a new print head and new ink tanks, but does have some minor marks on the printer itself. I haven't tried scanning yet, but printing seems very good. Uses 6 ink tanks - 3 color, 1 grey, 1 photo black, 1 text black. Canon claims the intermediate colors are no longer needed due to the small drop size.

If you're happy with a recertified printer, you can also get the MP620 for $90 plus shipping: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16828102424

 

[Zepper]

Those both use the new ink tanks - IDK about the possibility of refilling or whether clone chips will become available. Best to stick with the devil you know, if you can...

..bh.

 

[Tullphan]

I'm quite cure the 970 is the "devil" & the 980 is the "angel".

 

[13Gigatons]

I liked the 7 ink 970 better. Canon is cutting corners now a days with their new models.

Also just because a printer has 7-inks does NOT mean it will cost more to buy ink compare with a 5-ink model. Remember a 7-ink model will have more ink to print from and will use different combination's when printing photos or documents. If you print a lot of photos then it will use the PC and PM colors more and these will need to be replaced more often.

 

[bjlockie]

The Epson I bought came with 'starter' ink cartridges.
I thought all manufacturers did that.

 

[Zepper]

Depends on what you mean by "starter". What it generally means to me when talking about printer ink is that the starter carts are special ones with very low ink volume to cause you to have to buy new carts or tanks sooner - gotta get that cash-cow flowing as soon as possible... On principle, I doubt I'd ever buy a printer that comes with starter carts or tanks. It tells me what a printer mfr thinks about its potential customers.

Same reason I don't fall for Gillette razor starter pack deals - check the price for refills... I know I got one of their starter razors (maybe a Fusion) for free some time back - I may buy some blades for it when they hit the clearance bins.

.bh.